Lesson 7: Selection Basics
![Picture](http://www.editmysite.com/editor/images/na.jpg)
You can use basic tool sets to make selections based on size, shape, and color. These four basic tool sets are the the marquee, lasso, Magic Wand, and Pen tools. The selection process limits changes to the selected area only. It will not affect any of the other areas of the image.
The best selection tool for a specific area often depends on the characteristics of that area, such as shape or color. There are three types of selections are Geometric selections, Freehand selections, and Color-based selections.
The best selection tool for a specific area often depends on the characteristics of that area, such as shape or color. There are three types of selections are Geometric selections, Freehand selections, and Color-based selections.
Geometric Selections
![Picture](http://www.editmysite.com/editor/images/na.jpg)
You use the Rectangular Marquee tool to select a square or rectangular area in an image. The Elliptical Marquee tool, which is hidden behind the Rectangular Marquee tool, selects elliptical areas. Use the Single Row Marquee tool and Single Column Marquee tool to select either a 1- pixel-high row or a 1-pixel-wide column respectively.
Freehand Selections
![Picture](http://www.editmysite.com/editor/images/na.jpg)
You can drag the Lasso tool around an area to trace a freehand selection. Using the Polygonal Lasso tool, you can click to set anchor points in straight- line segments around an area. The Magnetic Lasso tool works something like a combination of the other two lasso tools, and is best when there is good contrast between the area you want to select and its surroundings.
Color-based Selections
![Picture](http://www.editmysite.com/editor/images/na.jpg)
The Magic Wand tool selects parts or an image based on the similarity in color of adjacent pixels. It is useful for selecting odd-shaped areas that share a specific range of colors.
Making Selections
Selecting and making changes to an area within an image in Photoshop is a two-step process.
- You first select the part of an image you want to change with one of the selection tools.
- Then, you use another tool to make the changes, such as moving the selected pixels to another location or erasing pixels within the selection.
Selecting with the Magic Wand Tool
![Picture](http://www.editmysite.com/editor/images/na.jpg)
The Magic Wand tool is one of the easiest ways to make a selection. You simply click a particular colored point in the image to select areas of that color. This method is most successful for selecting an area of closely similar colors that is surrounded by areas of different color. After you make the initial selection, you can add or subtract areas by using specific keyboard combinations with the Magic Wand tool.
Tolerance option
![Picture](http://www.editmysite.com/editor/images/na.jpg)
The Tolerance option sets the sensitivity of the Magic Wand tool. This limits or extends the range of pixel similarity, so the default setting of 32 selects the color you click plus 32 lighter and 32 darker tones of that color. The ideal tolerance level depends on the color ranges and variations in the image.
Tutorial
![Picture](/uploads/7/8/4/1/7841080/3571753.jpg?144)
Completed Journal image.
In this tutorial you will learn how to use a combination of selection tools to rearrange a collage of symbolic objects, including a writing journal, a pen, globes, a number, a flower, and a padlock into the pleasing composition.
To begin this tutorial, you will need to download the Journal_1.psd file.
To begin this tutorial, you will need to download the Journal_1.psd file.
![](http://www.weebly.com/weebly/images/file_icons/image.png)
journal_1.psd | |
File Size: | 1948 kb |
File Type: | psd |
The larger number "5" in the scanned image is a good candidate for using the Magic Wand tool because the entire number 5 is blue, and the surrounding area is light gray shadow. For the collage you're creating in this lesson, you'll select and move just the number, not the shadow or background behind it.
- Select the magic wand tool.
- On the tool options bar, set the Tolerance text box at 70 to increase the number of similar tones that will be selected.
- Using the Magic Wand tool, click the surface of the large number "5" object. Most of it will be selected.
- To select the remaining area of the number "5", hold down the Shift key on the keyboard, so that a plus sign appears with the Magic Wand pointer. This indicates that whatever you click will be added to the current selection. Then, click one of the unselected areas of the blue number "5".
Note: The shift key also adds to the selection when you use the other selection tools.